Undrafted free agents are hard to evaluate. Sometimes they turn into overlooked stars, but mostly they bounce around from team to team as reserve players. 

The Jets signed nine UDFAs after the conclusion of the draft – three defensive backs, two wide receivers, two defensive linemen, one edge rusher and one offensive tackle. Much like every draft pick, they all have promise. 

However, Washington offensive tackle Jared Hilbers has the best chance to make the team given his position, ability and price tag.

Hilbers is a hulking 6-foot-7, 316-pound lineman with the ability to play both tackle positions for the Jets. He played 11 games at left tackle his junior season in place of an injured starter and then started 12 games at right tackle in 2019 to replace Kaleb McGary, who was a first-round pick by the Falcons a year ago. Hilbers’ Pro Football Focus grade of 81.9 ranked 25th out of 398 tackles and he proved to have adept quickness and patience as a blocker.

Hilbers is in a better situation than most UDFAs simply because of the depth chart in front of him. The Jets only have three tackles on the roster between first-round pick Mekhi Becton, George Fant and Chuma Edoga. Greg Van Roten and Alex Lewis can play tackle as well, but the Jets need them at guard for now. Hilbers won’t be expected to compete for a starting job, but he would be a key bench player in case of injury. 

Joe Douglas loves offensive linemen. He even insinuated earlier this offseason his desire to stockpile linemen because he believed “there’s a real shortage of quality offensive linemen in the NFL, so … you can never have too many.” Hilbers fits the mold of a Douglas lineman, too. He’s massive, he’s agile and he’s versatile. Hilbers’ size speaks for itself, but he also posted a 5.06-second 40-yard-dash time and a 7.56 in the three-cone. He lacks ideal arm length and aggressiveness in the trenches, but he is good enough to slide in as the Jets’ fourth tackle who can play on either side of the offensive line.

The Jets also gave him a massive $62,000 guarantee in his contract, which is high for an undrafted rookie. At the very least, Hilbers will be a practice squad player, but he could turn himself into a solid role player if he proves more valuable than the other reserve journeymen lineman on the roster.

Other undrafted free agents like cornerback Lamar Jackson, edge rusher Bryce Huff and receivers Lawrence Cager and George Campbell are all quality players but will have a tougher time cracking the 53-man roster because of the position they play. Jackson trails at least eight other cornerbacks, while Cager and Campbell are behind 10 receivers. 

Huff would be the second-best choice to make the team given his position as well. He’s a productive, albeit undersized, pass rusher who would have a clearer path to cracking the roster because of his skillset and the Jets’ obvious need at the position. He racked up 16 sacks and 34.5 tackles for loss over his final two seasons at Memphis and could inject a spark into the Jets’ pass rush.

Hilbers, though, is the safest pick as both a contributor and fit for the Jets offensive line. The Jets are heavily invested in keeping Sam Darnold protected in his third season and that means beefing up the line with bigger blockers from the starting lineup down to the third-string.